Bueckers Tops WNBA Draft as Wings' No. 1 Pick

The WNBA Draft concluded with UConn's Paige Bueckers selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Dallas Wings, marking a significant moment in women's basketball.

Key Takeaways:

• Paige Bueckers, UConn star and national champion, was drafted first overall by the Dallas Wings.
• The draft featured international talent, with players from France, Lithuania, and Slovenia selected in the first round.
• Several college powerhouses, including NC State, Alabama, and Notre Dame, had multiple players drafted.

The 2025 WNBA Draft showcased the next generation of women's basketball talent, with UConn's Paige Bueckers headlining as the top pick. The Dallas Wings, who secured the first selection, wasted no time in choosing Bueckers, a decision that GM Curt Miller described as 'early' and 'like Christmas morning.'

Bueckers, who averaged 19.9 points and 4.6 assists per game in her final season at UConn, brings impressive efficiency to the professional ranks. Her shooting percentages - 53.4% from the field, 41.9% from three-point range, and 88.9% from the free-throw line - underscore her offensive prowess.

The draft also highlighted the global nature of women's basketball. International players featured prominently, with Dominique Malonga (France) going second to Seattle, Juste Jocyte (Lithuania) fifth to Golden State, and Ajsa Sivka (Slovenia) tenth to Chicago.

College basketball powerhouses saw multiple players drafted. NC State had two first-round picks with Saniya Rivers (8th) and Aziaha James (12th). Alabama also had two players selected early, with Sarah Ashlee Barker going 9th and Aaliyah Nye 13th. Notre Dame's Sonia Citron (3rd) and Maddy Westbeld (16th) rounded out the notable college representation.

The second and third rounds saw teams addressing specific needs. Seattle, lacking a backup point guard, selected Serena Sundell with the 25th pick. This choice could provide immediate depth behind starter Skylar Diggins-Smith.

As the draft concluded, attention now turns to how these rookies will impact their new teams. With the WNBA season approaching, fans and bettors alike will be keen to see how these draft choices influence team dynamics and potentially shift odds in the upcoming campaign.